John Verciglio – Senior Pastor
jvercig@gmail.com
John and Lisa Verciglio came to Fayette First Methodist Church in July 2026. John is a
Global Methodist Church Pastor of the North Alabama Conference, who was received
into the GMC in December 2022. Having served over 34 years in ministry, Bro. John
brings experience having served both rural and suburban Methodist Churches, as well
as having served on varied Annual Conferences teams, committees, and leadership
positions.
I was called to ministry at the age of 17, but ran from the calling. I was raised in a
Catholic home but knew as I was experiencing a calling that the priesthood would not
be the fulfillment of that call. I always wanted to be married and have children. I served
in the church as an Acolyte until I was 17. Acolytes were assistants in the worship
service. It was in my serving from the ages of 13-17 that God placed a calling on my life
in worship. After graduating high school, I received a scholarship to play baseball in
college. In 1981, I met my wife (Lisa) in college. She was a dancer. It was in our
relationship that I was introduced to the Protestant Church and Methodism. God began
to pursue my life for ministry as we married, bought a home, had two children,
completed college, and worked in the secular world as a Cost Accountant.
At the age of 30, I could no longer turn away from the calling God had placed in my life.
The calling was so intense that often we had to stop on the way home from church on
Sunday’s because I couldn’t see to drive from crying. Every sermon seemed to be “God
speaking to me.” With my loving wife’s prayers, support and encouragement, along with
our home church pastor, Rev. Pete Furio leading me in a discernment process, I
accepted my calling to ministry. The day we placed our home for sale; I was so relieved
to be in God’s will of saying “YES” to His call.
I am hopeful that in serving the great community of Fayette, Alabama, that I might help
others discover God’s calling in their lives. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “Each of you should
use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace
in its various forms.” It’s such an honor to walk beside others as they discover God’s
love for their lives, and how He desires to use each of us to reach others.
John currently serves on the Board of Ministry of the North Alabama Conference of the
GMC, as well as serving as a Candidacy Mentor in the NAGMC for those exploring a
call to ministry. John and Lisa have been very involved throughout their ministry in the
Alabama Emmaus Community, with John having served as the Community Spiritual
Director in the early 2000’s, and Lisa serving as a Lay Director of Walk #177 in 1997.
Lisa is a graduate of Jefferson State Junior College (Office Management), and John is a
graduate of Birmingham-Southern College (B.S. Accounting) and Emory University
(MDiv.). John also completed 27-hours of post-graduate work at Wesley Theological
Seminary in Washington, D.C.
John and Lisa have been happily married, at this writing, forty-two years. They have
two daughters (both in Birmingham), Catherine Verciglio, Emily Verciglio Hollingsworth
and Taylor Hollingsworth (S/I/L), and one granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth. They are
also fur-parents to Rosie…a chocolate brown miniature Shih Tzu.
Dana Gilliam – Executive Director of Ministries
danacargilegilliam@gmail.com
Dana Gilliam has served on staff at Fayette First Methodist Church since 2009, beginning her ministry there as Youth Minister and today serving as Executive Director of Ministries. She has a deep passion for serving the Church, developing leaders, and creating spaces where people can encounter the transforming love and presence of Jesus Christ.
Dana serves as the Prayer Ministry Coordinator for the North Alabama Annual Conference and is actively involved in the Alabama Emmaus Community, as well as the West Alabama and Tuscaloosa Clusters. Most recently, she had the privilege of serving as Lay Director for Alabama Emmaus Walk 545. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Better Together Fayette, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing local churches together to serve children and families through community-wide events in Fayette.
Her ministry has also extended beyond the local church. Dana served as a North Alabama lay delegate to the 2024 General Conference in Costa Rica and as a Prayer Ministry Leader at the 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. While in Johannesburg, she was elected to serve on the General Conference Commission for the 2026–2032 term.
Dana is currently pursuing a degree in Leadership and Ministry through Asbury University, continuing to grow in her calling and deepen her preparation for ministry.
She and her husband, Wayne, have been married for 28 years and are blessed with three beautiful daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandsons, and another grandson expected in January 2027. Above all, Dana considers her family one of God’s greatest gifts and is grateful for every opportunity He gives her to love and serve others.
Priscilla Gray – Youth Ministry
priscillaleighgray@gmail.com
Priscilla Gray serves as the Youth Director at Fayette First Methodist Church, where she is passionate about helping students build a genuine, lasting relationship with God. With a heart for both discipleship and connection, Priscilla creates spaces where students feel seen, known, and challenged to grow in their faith.
She brings a blend of experience to her role, including a background in marriage, life and relationship coaching, with a focus on emotional health, identity, and personal growth. Priscilla is especially passionate about helping young people develop self-awareness, navigate relationships with wisdom, and understand their worth through the lens of God’s truth.
Priscilla and her husband, Jordan, have been married for over two decades and are raising six amazing children together: Whit, Brooke, Abigail, Austin, Chloe, and Mollie. Their journey shapes the authenticity and compassion she brings into ministry. Together, they are committed to serving the church, investing in the next generation, and creating environments where faith can grow for years to come.
Priscilla desires for every student to not just attend church, but to truly know Jesus, live with purpose, and walk confidently in who God created them to be.
August & Sam Junkin – Children’s Minister & Worship Leader for Common Ground
Augustjunkin@att.net
Sjunkin75@gmail.com
Sam and August Junkin have been partners in ministry at Fayette First Methodist since 2013. August serves as the Children’s Minister and Sam as the Worship Leader for Common Ground. In addition to her responsibilities at FFMC, August provides music to local pre-schools and pre-k programs and also serves as the Executive Director of Better Together Fayette, a non-profit organization established in 2020 that focuses on combining the resources of local churches to provide ministry events designed to share the love of Christ with children in the City of Fayette. Sam has served as the Circuit Judge for the 24th Judicial Circuit since 2015. They have been married for 26 years and have one daughter, Laura, who is a student at the University of Alabama.
Karen Davis – Organist
karendavis1007@gmail.com
Beth Pendley – Treasurer
beth.pendley@outlook.com
Courtney Cosby Sullivan – Director of Children’s Place
childrensplacefayette@gmail.com
Gail Weaver – Administrative Assistant
firstmethodistchurchfayette@gmail.com
Gail has faithfully served as an Administrative Assistant for the past four years. She enjoys the opportunity to serve others through her work and values being part of a team that works together to support the ministries of the church.
Outside of work, Gail’s greatest joy is her family. She and her husband, Max Weaver, have been married for 40 years and have built a wonderful life together. They are blessed with three daughters, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Gail treasures time spent with her family and especially enjoys the special moments and memories they continue to share together.
Magen Routen – Media Tech
magenrouten89@outlook.com
Magen Routen has been a part of the Fayette First Methodist Church family for a little over five years and has the privilege of serving on the ministry team as Media Tech. If you’ve tuned into one of FFMC’s Facebook livestreams, seen the announcement or Scripture slides, or watched the screen during a worship service, you’ve seen some of Magen’s work behind the scenes!
Magen is married to her wonderful husband, Ryan Routen, and together they are blessed with five amazing children: Kayden, Jordyn, Khloey, Austin, and Kreed. She truly loves FFMC and is grateful to be a part of the church family and all that God is doing in and through it.
Karon Renfroe – Traditional Worship Leader/Chancel Choir Director/Pianist
krenfroemusic@gmail.com
Karon has faithfully served in ministry at Fayette First Methodist Church since 1975. She
currently serves as the Traditional Worship Leader, Chancel Choir Director, and Pianist. After
many years of serving as the church pianist, Karon became the Chancel Choir Director in 2010
and has continued in that role for the past 16 years.
Karon’s love for music and ministry also extends to Children’s Place, the church’s daycare,
where she has served as the music teacher since it opened in 1993.
Her passion for music began early. In 1969, while still a junior in high school, Karon began
teaching private piano lessons. She continued teaching generations of students for 50 years
before retiring from private instruction in 2019.
Karon is married to Bob Renfroe, and they have celebrated 51 years of marriage. They have
two children, Carla and Russell, and two grandchildren, Garrett and Campbell.
